Overview & Reviews

Lincoln is an automaker with a long history of building upscale vehicles for the American market. A division of Ford, Lincoln differentiates its vehicles through additional luxury features, more powerful engines and unique styling. The automaker's lineup includes cars, pickups and SUVs.

The company was established in 1917 by Henry Leland, an automotive parts manufacturer who had previously founded the Cadillac brand. He named the company after his boyhood hero: the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln. Early Lincoln models include the L Series and the K Series. The company quickly hit dire straits, however, and was bought by Ford Motor Company in 1922.

Lincoln had found its niche in the luxury-car segment by the 1930s, riding high with the likes of Cadillac as a purveyor of premium status-mobiles. The 1936 model year saw Lincoln's launch of the popular Zephyr. The car's name and styling were inspired by the sleek lines of the Burlington Zephyr, a diesel-powered express train that boasted record-setting speed. The car was a big hit for Lincoln; at one point, nearly 80 percent of all Lincolns sold were Zephyrs.

The '40s also saw the rise of the glamorous Continental. The vehicle's development was shepherded by Edsel Ford, son of Ford's founder Henry Ford. After World War II, Lincoln maintained its premium status with vehicles like the Mark II and the '60s-era Continentals, which gained fame through their "suicide-style" rear doors and use as U.S. presidential limousines. The Continental Mark III luxury coupe rolled out in 1968 and by the late '60s, more than 1 million Continentals had been built.

The 1970s saw the launch of the Mark IV as well as a new Lincoln, the Versailles. The Versailles was the first midsize sedan from the marque, and right from the start, it missed the mark with the public. The Versailles was based on the Ford Granada platform, and many blamed its failure on its obvious similarity to its less exclusive -- and less expensive -- twin.

In 1981, Lincoln released its now iconic Town Car, the full-size luxury sedan that has since served as the marque's flagship. Though its moniker had been used to designate trim levels in previous years, 1981 was the year in which the Town Car came into existence as an individual model. Lincoln also distinguished itself during these years as the first American car line to offer antilock braking. The Mark series continued to evolve, and shrunk down considerably with the debut of the Mark VI. That velvet-lined cruiser was followed mid-decade by the Mark VII, which was more European in nature and could even be powered by a BMW turbodiesel engine.

The '90s saw the debut of the Mark VIII, which featured a four-cam V8 and air suspension. By this time, sport-utility vehicles had emerged as a segment to be reckoned with, and Lincoln made the most of this trend by launching its very first SUV, the Ford Expedition-based Navigator, for 1998. Bedecked in chrome and fitted with plush leather and luxury features galore, the massive truck was a breakout hit.

The new millennium marked the debut of the Euro-flavored, midsize LS sedan that shared much of its platform with Jaguar's S-Type sedan. More recently, Lincoln has dropped the long-lived Town Car and updated its lineup with the MKS and MKZ sedans as well as the MKX crossover SUV in hopes of attracting a new generation of consumers. Some of its offerings fall short of the competition in areas such as performance and refinement. Still, the marque is a favorite of car buyers seeking a generous dose of all-American luxury.

User Reviews:

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  2006 Lincoln Mark LT - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Roy Ford - October 5 - 10:53 am

  Traded a Cadilac Escalade for the new LT. After a few weeks of owning the vehicle my impression is that Lincoln missed another opportunity. The interior is inferior to the Cadilac, there is no Nav system offered, the sound system is basic, only one 12v power source, the back seat rattles, no wood steering wheel, just an F150 with a little xtra. A swing and a miss.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By wkeef - October 5 - 10:00 am

  The new Aviator is a great vehicle. It is a pleasure to drive. This is my wifes car and she really enjoys the handling and comfort. If we had one suggestion to make it would be to get rid of the third seat and put more foot room in the second row. The tightness of foot room limits the car to no more than a two person vehicle.

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  Late md Continentals speedometer error - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By Tom Coomes - October 4 - 8:26 am

  My speedometer does not register the true speed of my 2001 Continental. 6 mph off. Used GPS to clock. My dealer told me that ALL Continentals speedometer are in error. Ford engineers told me a 10% error either direction was exceptable. Asked to put it in writing, they refused saying that it isnt written and they could not put it in writing. Chkd the Town Car and LS and they were within tenths of a mph off. So they can make a speedometer accurate. Better chk yours or you may get a ticket when you do not deserve one.

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  B2B WARRANTY is an ABSOLUTE MUST - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By NoVaAgent - September 29 - 7:13 am

  I thought I had it rough until reading some of these reviews. Turns out my experience was average: bought at 45000, currently 72000. During that time: rear valve cover gasket, two window motors, cruise control, steering wheel stereo controls, memory seat, sunroof, AC, 100% COVERED BY AFTERMARKET WARRANTY. Service trips- fixed the 1st time maybe 50% of the time. **The key here is, the bang for the buck on this car when buying used is awesome. But as an owner, you soon realize the catch, lots of problems, some small, some large, lots of service trips, tons of time wasted. what I find most unnerving about these poor reviews- there seems to be little pattern in the problems- whats next?

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  Wife Loves It - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Ken - September 28 - 11:26 am

  Had looked at a number of other sedans but kept coming back to Lincoln due to the quality. I had also read a number of reviews and they did help. I understood that, like most other models sticker claims, the gas mileage would be less than stated. But, its close enough not to be a major concern. It looks great, rides comfortably and inside looks just right.

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  Great Car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Jackofms - September 28 - 1:03 am

  Even though it is a 6, this is the best driving car Ive had.

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  Best Deal on Wheels - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By Silver Streak - September 25 - 9:43 pm

  I bought this car with 78,000 miles in 2003. Now in 2010 I have 212,000 miles. The car will get good gas mileage with ac off and at 65 mph with Cruise control. Car has never let me down. Never been stuck with this car. Build quality is excellent. No noises after 212k miles. Jumbo trunk. I drive hard and the transmission is original. Changed transmission fluid 3 times or more. Engine uses a quart of oil in 3000 miles so then its ready for a change or a quart and a change in 6000. Best looking Lincolns a 94-97. Get a signature or Cartier or diamond anniversary edition.

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  Best SUV ever - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By Harvey - September 25 - 4:09 pm

  We have always have foreign cars for all the technology but this Lincoln has it all and more and a high residual

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  Beats Lexus 350 IMO - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Clayt - September 23 - 1:00 pm

  My wife has been driving a Lexus 350 (3 different year models) for nine years.With nothing exciting about the Lexus styling anymore, we jumped to the Lincoln MDX. We sure dont miss the Lexus for a second. For a man, the Lincoln is a much better fit. I dont have to contend with the pull-down skinny armrests any longer when I drive it. And the features have it over the Lexus by a mile. Dont have to pay an extra $3500 either for blue tooth as in Lexus. Lincolns phone sync is great. Gas mileage is better than Lexus at 24mpg on road, and the sun roof is fantastic. I love this crossover and will get one myself at the end of 2009.

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  Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Lance Smith - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Engine noise is very intrusive and handling is poor. The interior is nothing to tell your friends about and the exterior is outdated. It is always rattling and has been in the shop eight times since we got it four months ago.